Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if more post leaving certificate places will be made available in a school (details supplied) in County Offaly in view of the fact that the schools facilities makes it capable of catering for many more students; and if teacher allowance will be provided. [12915/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Jobs Initiative, an additional 1,000 approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) places will be made available for the 2011/2012 academic year. On 11 May, my Department wrote to providers inviting applications for the allocation of the additional places.

The school referred to by the Deputy is under the management of County Offaly Vocational Education Committee (VEC). As such, it is for that VEC to submit an application, rather than the school itself. An application has been received from County Offaly VEC and is currently under consideration by my Department. The closing date for receipt of applications was the 24th of May and allocations will be notified to providers shortly thereafter.

In allocating places, my Department will have regard to current and previous demand from individual providers, current and previous uptake (enrolment trends), current allocations to individual providers and the overall number of places available. All applications will be dealt with equitably and on their own merits.